FY 2021 ending the HIV epidemic - primary care HIV prevention - brief summary of how your proposed project will increase the number of patients counseled/tested for HIV, the number of patients…

FY 2021 ending the HIV epidemic - primary care HIV prevention - brief summary of how your proposed project will increase the number of patients counseled/tested for HIV, the number of patients prescribed prep, and the number of patients linked to HIV care and treatment within 30 days of diagnosis. The university muslim medical association community clinic (UMMA) is part of a larger network of institutions addressing the health and well-being of underserved and indigent populations in LOS angeles county (LAC), california. We serve communities in south LOS angeles, an area formerly known as south central LOS angeles located in the southern portion of LAC, mostly within the LOS angeles city limits, south of downtown LOS angeles. Our service area is a densely populated urban core. UMMA will establish a focused primary care HIV prevention (PCHP) program with the support of hrsa funding. The proposed PCHP program will focus on preventing new HIV infections through testing and counseling, linkage to treatment, and prep when clinically indicated. Targeted outreach to the community and training for providers and staff will support routine HIV testing for our patients along with targeted HIV testing for at-risk populations. Prep prescribing practices will be expanded to facilitate ease of access to prep medications, and linkages to care and treatment for HIV+ individuals will be facilitated by staff to identified community-based HIV treatment providers. UMMA will adopt universal screening for HIV and encourage patients to be tested. Clinicians will determine the need for repeat screening on an individual basis. Persons at high risk for HIV infection will be screened at least annually. Prep prescribing will follow CDC guidelines and access to prep medications will be enhanced through dedicated care coordination. Clinician workflows will be enhanced for both HIV testing and prep access. Formal linkages to HIV care and treatment will allow US to respond quickly to potential HIV outbreaks to get prevention and treatment services to individuals who need them. Diagnosis and treatment needs to occur soon after HIV acquisition to ensure that viral suppression is achieved and sustained to interrupt forward transmission of HIV. Brief description of how the proposed project will focus on the targeted geographic locations. Approximately 58,000 people are living with HIV in LAC today. In 2018, 1,660 persons aged 13 years and older were newly diagnosed with HIV infection in LAC. Many HIV+ individuals are effectively managing their HIV with the use of antiretroviral therapy and the availability of medical and support services. For those who are undiagnosed and are not aware of their HIV+ positive status, or who have been diagnosed but are experiencing challenges with achieving and maintaining viral load suppression, getting tested and/or linking to care in a timely and supportive manner will be UMMA's PCHP program focus. UMMA is particularly mindful of the cultural, spiritual, social and economic realities that impinge upon low-income residents in LAC, including the barriers to accessing health services. We will address such barriers in our proposed PCHP program. LAC is one of 57 jurisdictions across the country where resources, technology, and expertise is being infused to expand HIV prevention and treatment activities. UMMA's proposed activities will increase HIV status awareness among persons living with HIV infection. Given that individuals unaware of their HIV infection may account for about one third of new infections, increasing HIV status awareness among south LOS angeles residents is central to reducing new infections, as well as to improving health outcomes.